Jan Krupa

I'm currently searching for multiplatform (Linux, Windows XP) solution for audio+video transmission. I've summarized list of usable programs I found so far.

Software for Linux:

• Ekiga
• Twinkle

And these programs for Windows:

• NetMeeting
• Ekiga
• Skype

I've expunged Skype from the list as first, mainly for two reasons. It's non-documented and non-standardised closed source software and there is no video support in Linux port.

There is NetMeeting in default installation of Windows XP but it's hidden from Start menu, you need to start it by launching conf.exe. Webcam support is there, everything is working fine. But.. Microsoft has depreciated NetMeeting in Windows Vista ⇒ no support when Windows XP Support Lifecycle ends. Immediately after I found that there is beta build of Ekiga for Win32 I decided to give it a try ;).

Download and installation

You can grab latest Ekiga version on Vox Gratia Ekiga snapshot archive. You'll also need GTK+ 2 libraries if you don't have them installed. It can be downloaded from the GIMP for Windows website. After installation check if GTK+ 2 bin directory is in your path environment variable.

Configuration and usability

Ekiga Windows interface is almost the same as on Linux. When you run it for the first time you need to go through simple wizard and ask few easy questions about your identity and hardware configuration – audio and video settings. Audio calls are working fine but there is one big problem – video support. When you enable video support and initiate call, Ekiga starts to be totally unusable because it's slow as snail. Second video problem is probably connected with particular camera and it's driver – I wasn't able to get clear picture – there were just random colors in the camera output.

If you have any suggestions for other programs I can try (on both operating systems), please let me know. I'll be glad for any idea.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 25th, 2006 at 3:08 am and is filed under EN, Software.